ARCHIVE: Female OSS officer.
WWII-era ephemera belonging to Marjorie Severyns Ravenholt. a female officer of the Office of Strategic Services, the U.S. intelligence agency that predated the CIA. During WWII she was engaged in psychological warfare against Japan while stationed in Chungking. The lot includes:
Chinese-language identification card with b&w photo, signed, indicating officer is a correspondent with Time-Life-Fortune.
KMT Certificate of Registration with b&w photo, signed, indicating officer is a representative of Time, Inc., living at Press Hotel, Chungking.
War Correspondent’s Credential and Identification Card with b&w photo, signed, issued by United States Forces China Theater, dated Septemeber, 1945. In addition, signed by Col. Joseph Dickey, who was also involved in the OSS.
Map of City of Chungking Province of Szechwan China Cartomap by Sgt. “Lefty” Burgess, USA. Measures 9” x 12 ½”. Charming pictorial map, done in the style of Jo Mara or Frank Dorn, in b&w designed for US military personnel based in Chungking. In contemporary manuscript the map has been amended: “Press Hostel Marked with X;” “OSS Girls live in own eagle’s roost” followed by an arrow; “you land here – ½ hour ride on rough road;” and “Catherine works – the OSS office.” On verso, recipient, the OSS officer indicated above, has written: “Map Al sent when he knew I’d be coming to Chungking.”
Map stamped in red “Strictly Confidential” labeled “Route from Chungking to Rangoon” and, and additional map, titled “New Road From Siakwan to the Burma Border” Small sheet measures 8” x 10 ¼” with the a route on the second map highlighted in orange ink. Slight chip to right margin.
Fascinating little archive revealing some of the involvement of the U.S. clandestine forces in China during the Japanese occupation and the conflict between the Nationalist and Communist factions. See the book "Sisterhood of Spies -- Women of the OSS" by Elizabeth P. McIntosh. Marjorie Severyns and her OSS activities are mentioned in the book, substantiating engagement in psychological warfare.
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